Can we just vote in this comments section? It's not like the PLP are going to listen to us anyway.

Lol

**........................................ Referendum True confession ............................................**

I humble myself and come out as having predetermined convictions to vote no on all four bills.

However, after actually entering the polling booth, prayerfully examining each question on the ballot in private, I decided to vote NO on all four bills instead.

This is the type double talk, balderdash, flimflam, baloney, rigmarole, and absolute equivocation Perry Christie has played on us since 2012 starting with his total deceptiveness of "Bahamians First"!

*Back at you PGC, & we're not done with you yet*

Comrade Tribune Photojournalism Reporter you does have an obliteration to your newspaper's readers if she dares to wear one to capture the red party's aspiring prime minister-in waiting Loretta, wearing her yellow "Vote YES" t-shirt.
How in the hell can the electoral policeman's not arrest the PM and his cabinet for wearing the PLP's yellow colours to promote a referendum?

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

> FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has refused to say how he will vote

Hubert Minnis is a total POS.

I will be embarrassed and ashamed of my country if we vote NO.

There's lots of other things to be embarrassed about, like the state of BEC. I'm embarrassed by the scales of justice and the locked gate they put on the ballot. I'm embarrassed that they bulldozed ahead when it was clear the populace had issues with these questions. I'm embarrassed that they wasted our money AGAIN by ignoring those issues and then got angry and tried to bully a yes vote by calling everyone stupid. A referendum is supposed to take the pulse of the people. If they had changed a word here or there, (e.g. "person" to "husband" and "wife" respectively), they could have gotten a yes vote on all four bills, but they wasted our money on another farcical exercise. Next time PLEASE listen. All of this could have been avoided. If they wanted to introduce LGBT rights handle that separately.

They don't want to introduce LGBT rights though...

And yes, those other things you listed are also a cause for despair, but the difference here is that we, the Bahamian public, screwed it up ourselves. We cannot directly blame the government this time... We took it upon OURSELVES to deny men and women equal rights in this country and for that reason I am ashamed and embarrassed. The referendum result is indicative of, and connected to, our other problems. I guess it is the gov.'s fault in a way... the PLP were the ones responsible for the destruction of the education system in this country after independence when they sought to "bahamianise" the education system by replacing the British model with the current system - a system, by the way, that has been getting progressively worse ever since.

While you are being embarrassed be embarrassed also for being so judgemental about people. Is it not possible for persons to have a different opinion from you and not be ignorant. Your position presupposes that there is only one logical and reasonable option available. One may have agreed with the concept of one or two of the questions but also believed that changing the constitution was not the way to accomplish the results and that if ever there was a reason to vote no on an unfair process this was it. The irony is that for a process that claims to want to correct discrimination and prejudice the process was fundamentally discriminatory and prejudicial due to the government funding one over the other.

Then adjust the damn questions. We just waisted another 5 million, or more, on this foolishness. We can't continue this. We should have just handed the money to the printers so we could watch regular programming.

"We ..... waisted another 5 million, or more, on this foolishness"?????

Who are you referring to in the above quote by saying "we"?

The Bahamas, Bahamians, us. We wasted another 5 million. We can say it's the government, but we either put them there or we allow them to stay there. We wasted it.

This was not about equal rights. They could have easily gotten yes votes on all questions with MINOR adjustments to the questions. The fact that they refused after being advised by **their own** commission tells me there's another agenda. You be embarrassed, I'm angry we wasted more money and BEC is on the verge of catastrophic failure. I guess we'll all be equal if we have to use outdoor toilets, kerosine lamps and stoves

Well put Abaconian, you are right on point!

I'm also really embarrassed by the attack on Dame Joan, she is entitled to her opinion like everyone else

The no vote will just hasten the downward spiral of the country.

Backward thinking of Bahamians is why the economy is so bad and this proves that it will get worse.

But you can't expect much from a grade "D".

this the same reason why these bills have been rejected why insult anyone for exercising their very own constitutional rights you voted as you wish so place your one vote exit the room and allow a next voter to vote as they wish its their vote not your, the PLP, vote yes and most definitely not the no vote choice its the single individual to use their vote as they wish.

I agree with you viewer.

no need to insult.

people get the government they deserve.

I think you are spot on about the referendum and its hastening of the downward spiral of this country... For instance, I know for a fact that this result will influence many young, bright, college/university educated bahamians... especially young females... that the Bahamas is no place for them return and raise children - especially when they themselves are not afforded equal rights. The future of the Bahamas is already hanging in the balance.. this referendum proves that it is not only the gov. holding back the Bahamas, but the people themselves. It's a grim thought.

I myself am a young Bahamian who recently graduated from university abroad, in a position to leave or stay.. I want to stay, and I think I will. I want to make a name for myself here and try to better the country... but I have privileges that many others don't have and I have a passion for a certain kind of lifestyle available here that is hard to find anywhere else...This means I will probably stay. But many others who don't share the same interests as I do, or quite the same connection to the land and sea.. are leaving in their droves. It's not good. A YES vote would have restored many people's faith and hope that this country can turn itself around.

Dame Joan does not have a D average, neither does Bran or Mario Moxey. This line that only dumb people vote no is exactly why the yes campaign failed. I'm thought "smart" people adjust tactics when it's clear the current strategy isn't working

Agreed with you ThisisOurs, the minority who were pushing the vote yes insulted the intelligence of the majority who voted no and they expected different results? Perhaps the vote yes was not as "intelligent" or "informed" as they thought...

Listening to the talk on the street about gay marriage and transexuals in bathrooms, it was obvious that the poor "yes" vote was doomed. The majority just did not get it. ThisisOurs hit the nail on the head. Inequality and lack of citizenship for children of Bahamians never came into their heads.

Perhaps words like "gender" and "sex" should be avoided entirely! Let us hope and pray that the next time the proposed changes are put to referendum they are explained very clearly so that ALL voters are able to understand. The majority of voters voted against themselves.

You are NOW embarrassed and ashamed of your country. WTF cares?

Comrades for a nation of but a population of 344,000 souls, what in the hell do we need a constitution for?
Constitutions are not the vision of the people but designed to enhance the legal fees bank accounts of those in the legal professions and to keep our judges busy.
I say we rips-ups the nation's constitution - mail it back to the Queen - considering our colonial masters in England - have NO constitution.
If we as a people decide to grant citizenship to the children's of woman's born on foreign soils, we do not need no constitution to make it the law of the land.
Man's marry woman's and woman's marries woman's who gives a damn as long as they pay their VAT taxes on time and don't raise their children as PLP's or red shirts.

If we got rid of the constitution we would be screwed. The constitution has screwed us this time... but without constitutional rights, we as citizens are exposed to gov tyranny and abuse.... the constitution and the the judiciary are the only real tools we as citizens have

And now Minnis suddenly doesn't know he is the Leader of the Opposition? Since he suddenly wants to act like the average Joe, I hope the voters return him to that status on election day. He wont speak up for them to have what they should have, so they should not support him to give him what he wants but by no means deserves.

> Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is pictured after voting today. He reportedly said he had voted “Yes” to all four bills.

That's what a national leader is supposed to do on a matter of national import, **say** what he or she has done.

100%, irrespective of the unconscionable "politics" used against him in last Referendum that ultimately cost his Party the next Election.

Comrade Papa Hubert not unlike Pindling, used his own politics to destroy his party's governance.
In the end it is only a nation's peoples that unseat governments via a democratically executed vote

People once again voted against helping the country advance...and yet they mostly blame the government for the problems in the country. Well it wasnt the gov that messed up this time it was the people. Im embarrassed to have been born In the Bahamas. This is why people that can leave and stay gone get out and never come back. No progress.

The PLP can't get ANYTHING right. This matter should have been so straight forward but they screwed up yet again. They promoted the YES vote and this gave the electorate the chance to give them the bloody nose they deserved for their duplicity over the previous constitutional referendum and the more recent gambling referendum. Shame that women's rights will suffer as a consequence but there will be other opportunities. Minnis' conduct in the whole affair has veen less than statesmanlike. Time now to deal with him at the July convention and produce an FNM leadership team that will consign this inept governing party into political oblivion. Not long now Bahamas.

Dead right. They scored an own goal on this one. I think the Constitutional Commission in conjunction with the PLP messed up too - but im not exactly sure how that whole process worked. When I say messed up, I don't mean the substance of the proposed Bills were wrong - they were all right and deserving of a YES vote in my opinion... but they should have had a little more foresight as to the reactions of Bahamians to each proposed Bill, specifically #4. They should have left out # 4 and just dealt with the issues relating to citizenship. That is where the real discrimination actually takes place in practice. I think the first three 3 Bills would have passed on their own if #4 was not included with them. #4 allowed people to make this whole ordeal about something it wasn't. The result was that it ended up casting a shadow of doubt over the whole thing. They should have held off on #4 to a later date..

They would have dealt with Minnis anyway, even if he voted yes.

Perry call election so we could fu... you over one last time like you been fu...ing the country over for the past several years. GOODBYE PLP we thank you please thank us WE THE PEOPLE!

PART 1

I sure hope, that those of you who hate and oppose the PLP politics, don't believe for one minute that these results are any indication of what will happen in next year's general election. There are a few reasons why there was a resounding No vote:

1: The majority of FNM and DNA supporters will NEVER vote for anything presented by the PLP

2: Most Bahamians saw Bill #4 as some sort of gay rights bill that would open the door for gay marriages and acceptance of trans-genders

3: Most people, when they thought of Bills 1, 2 and 3, only could think of those bills opening the door for Jamaicans and Haitians (the Chinese were an after-thought) coming to the Bahamas and gaining citizenship.. and most Bahamian HATE that very thought.

I myself woke up yesterday morning with every intention to vote YES on all except #3, after having read the proposed Amendments and what the government said was their intention. However, after discussing the bills with a co-worker, I realized something. While on the surface and in simple words, to me, some of the bills were fine; but what the government failed to do was insert the words "AT BIRTH" in Amendment #4 and following the words "Bahamian Citizen" in Amendment #2; also by inserting subsections to each bill that detailed all the possible scenarios that each Amendment covered, and those scenarios that were not covered. For example, Amendment #4 should have gone further and say that whereas as marriage is concerned male and female sex and or gender is established BIRTH, and no alterations to one's physical person with the intent to change that sex or gender will be accepted, acknowledged or protected under this amendment. But remember now, the Amendment itself mentioned nothing about marriage, only equal rights for both male and female... which without stating what kind of equal rights, leaves the LEGAL doors open to ALL forms of equal rights, as it excludes nothing. So even though it was being touted as "women's' rights, legally, anybody and anyone and every manner of life style under heaven, would have been acknowledged, accepted and protected under Bill # 4 as it was presented. Whereas as Amendment #2 was concerned, a foreign spouse should only be eligible for Bahamian citizenship IF the Bahamian spouse is a Bahamian AT BIRTH (not a naturalized foreigner who may have gained citizenship from a previous marriage to a Bahamian).

PART 2

I personally believe too, that after divorce or legal separation, then citizenship to a foreign spouse should be re-examined with the intention of being revoked, UNLESS the marriage produced children that are still under the age of 18, thus requiring the parents' support. In the case of adultery or abandonment on part of the foreign spouse, then citizenship should be an automatic revocation. But I digress.
In conclusion, I ended up voting NO on every single one, because they were all too vague and left wide open for all sorts of legal ramifications for circumstances that would affect the Bahamas negatively; and let us all remember now, these Amendments were all created and written by LAWYERS.. and I don't think that any of them were expecting that the majority of PLP Bahamians would have been able to look pass their political passion and take the time to read and try and understand what they were really voting on. I believe, that they were counting on PLP supporters automatically voting YES: that FNM and DNA women would have at least come on board at least 35-45% of them: and that every Bahamian born to a foreign parent and naturalized foreign born Bahamians would have voted YES as well.... because these lawyers/politicians know that whereas only the people can change the constitution, which supersedes the law, they themselves (the lawyers/politicians) can change any law to fall in line with the constitutional Amendments that they were hoping to be voted into existence.

I personally believe too, that after divorce or legal separation, then citizenship to a foreign spouse should be re-examined with the intention of being revoked, UNLESS the marriage produced children that are still under the age of 18, thus requiring the parents' support. In the case of adultery or abandonment on part of the foreign spouse, then citizenship should be an automatic revocation. But I digress.
In conclusion, I ended up voting NO on every single one, because they were all too vague and left wide open for all sorts of legal ramifications for circumstances that would affect the Bahamas negatively; and let us all remember now, these Amendments were all created and written by LAWYERS.. and I don't think that any of them were expecting that the majority of PLP Bahamians would have been able to look pass their political passion and take the time to read and try and understand what they were really voting on. I believe, that they were counting on PLP supporters automatically voting YES: that FNM and DNA women would have at least come on board at least 35-45% of them: and that every Bahamian born to a foreign parent and naturalized foreign born Bahamians would have voted YES as well.... because these lawyers/politicians know that whereas only the people can change the constitution, which supersedes the law, they themselves (the lawyers/politicians) can change any law to fall in line with the constitutional Amendments that they were hoping to be voted into existence.

The no result is and unbelievable result showing ignorance and selfishness beyond reason. The paranoia stirred up by the pastors and no campaigners has succeeded in denying so many men women and children of their rights , unlike most other countries.

**The fact that there was an overwhelming no vote says the results were completely believable. This overwhelming sentiment can't be a secret and you can't be unsure what people will do**. In fact, numerous yes vote committee members were saying they weren't confident about the results on Monday. Commentators were saying they expected a no vote from two weeks ago.

Someone interested in winning the vote would have adjusted strategy. **My conclusion must be, they didn't do the MINOR adjustments to win the vote because they felt they couldn't. Their eyes are on the report they have to make in July and not on the wishes of the Bahamian people or equal rights for women.**

The majority of Bahamians want a BETTER BAHAMAS and we are very passionate , vocal, vociferous even, about that. In EVERY RELATIONSHIP however opinions will differ. NO does not necessarily mean an individual is opposed to change but rather "LET'S REASON SENSIBLY ON THIS". Even our kids don't want us to force our way of doing things on them when they are not clear on WHY we are doing it. The more we push, the more they resist if it appears the argument is one-sided.
I've seen words like ignorant, stupid, xenophobic, backward thinking, idiot, fool, even profanities ascribed to people who voted NO in this referendum and that's disappointing coming from intelligent, forward thinking Bahamians. "Pledge to excel through LOVE and UNITY...to a COMMON, LOFTIER GOAL"......we can do this!!

Right on the point!

What you said.

Comrade Abaconian I disagree with you that "If we got rid of the constitution we would be screwed because as you say without constitutional rights, we as citizens would be exposed to government tyranny and abuse.... that the constitution and the the judiciary are the only real tools we as citizens have."
The constitution is foreign when it comes to the daily workings of Bahamalanders.
As to the courts, doesn't it come down to "how much justice can you afford to pay your lawyers to fight for?
The people need more paychecks - not more constitution....and for damn sure, not another 300 new lawyers joining the legal money grab system.
Comrade Abaconian, when was the last time you had ask the nation's constitution to defend your rights?
Before we amend the constitution, why not try getting 911 to answer the damn phone, much less get the damn policeman's to respond to the caller's crime emergency?

I trust yinner get the message. LEAVE OUR CONSTITUTION ALONE! Bam!

We may be backward and ignorant but at the end of the day, this is still our country. If you're that concerned about your foreign spouse or husband having citizenship rights in our country, then carry them where they were born. Simple.

Unfortunate that Number 1 failed as that protected children and gave them citizenship no matter if their father or mother was the Bahamian...married or not.

However in other concerns involving citizenship, if the foreign husband of a Bahamian woman wants citizenship there is a path to that. He can, after five years of marriage, apply for citizenship like everybody else and go through the process that is already established. He will either be granted it or denied it. Most likely it will be granted all things considered. And Permanent Residency is available with the right to work -- that already exists. A permanent resident can work and contribute to our national life in so many ways -- just can't vote or be elected to parliament or local boards.

Five million plus dollars ($5,000,000+) of our hard earned taxpayer dollars flushed down the toilet by the corrupt Christie-led PLP government on their misguided and rightfully failed attempt to buy votes in exchange for Bahamian citizenship and/or pandering to the agenda of the global LGBT movement! The horridly dilapidated public school I voted at sure could have used that money for desperately needed renovations and repair work. My wife actually had tears come to her eyes when she realized that all of the school's water fountains and water coolers were non-functioning and that the restrooms were in a dreadful state, not fit for human use by any standard. Yet the corrupt Christie-led PLP government would have us believe that they care about the rights of men and women (and those somewhere between men and women) being equal. Well, what about the rights of our young children who have to attend these deplorable public schools that are not fit for most animals, let alone humans?! Small wonder our children are receiving a D minus education....it is almost impossible for even the brightest amongst our young to learn anything under such horrid conditions. And no doubt the teachers at these unkept schools are from the bottom of the barrel....who else would subject themselves to working under such squalid conditions. But elitist Christie and his privileged political friends and business cronies certainly don't give two hoots about the welfare of our young children and the quality of their education .....they only care about themselves....and bills 1 thru 4 were only ever about themselves in terms of their hidden agenda. Thank heavens the vast majority of Bahamians were not fooled and overwhelmingly voted "No" to all four of the bills. Christie and his merry band of bandits are corrupt, power hungry, financially greedy and completely lacking in heart or soul. I truly feel for the very young in our country today, especially the 500+ recent COB graduates.

The media in this country never ceases to enrage me. Why is the media simply accepting this travesty of incomplete vote reporting a full 24 hours after the national poll? Doesn't the media know the law regarding elections in this country?

WHERE ARE THE REFERENDUM RESULTS FOR LONG ISLAND??????????????????

The parliamentary commissioner, I don't know what to say. The original excuse that they had four questions to count was lame at best. Wouldn't they have considered that in the planning? If the yes vote had won, you could bet the PM would have demanded official numbers in time for his speech on Wednesday, no wait, he would have demanded official numbers so he could make a speech that night surrounded by the women of the vote yes campaign.

Official results outstanding going on three days later. How long does it take to count 1+1?

It's clear you still think Bahamians fool.